NutritionNutrition

Sara R. Zwart, Ph.D.Nutritional Biochemistry Laboratory

Johnson Space Center - NASA

Monica V. TrevathanEducation Specialist

Human Health and PerformanceJohnson Space Center - NASA

June 23, 2005

Learning Objectives

• Describing the importance of proper nutrition for our bodies on Earth and for human space exploration.

• Identifying human body systems that are affected by inadequate nutrition (on Earth and in space).

• Explaining some challenges in nutrition and food for human exploration and long duration space flight.

Participants will expand their science content knowledge in the area of Nutrition by:

Adaptation to Weightlessness• Muscle

• Fluid shifts, hematological

• Neurosensory

• Gastrointestinal

• Cardiovascular

• Taste & odor

• Sleep &circadian rhythm

• Psychological/ Behavioral/ Performance

• Environmental

• Bone

What is the Function of Nutrition?

• Psychosocial aspects

• Meet energy/nutrient requirements

• Countermeasure

Classroom Project Idea

• Go to www.mypyramid.gov• My Pyramid Tracker can track food intake for

24 hours and give a report

Energy Intake

Energy Intake

POLL QUESTION

In general, most astronauts eat less than their recommended intake. Does this necessarily mean they lose weight?

Body Weight

SLAMMD

Vitamin D

Vitamin D

Vitamin D• Stimulates calcium absorption in the

intestine

• Deficiency can lead to:

– Rickets

– Osteomalacia

Where is vitamin D

synthesized in the body?

POLL QUESTION

Which of the following is NOT a source of Vitamin D?

Nutrients Critical for Bone Health• Calcium

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin K

• Phosphorus

• Magnesium

Bone

Bone breakdownBone formation

Bone Loss Fracture Risk Stone Risk

Adapted from Heaney et al, 2000

Bone Loss

Potential Countermeasures

• Nutrition

• Exercise

• Pharmacology

Biochemical Markers of Bone Breakdown

• N-telopeptide • Helical peptide

Sodium

Experiment days

NT

X (

nm

ol/d

)

Level of dietary sodium at each

stage of the study

European Mir Mission (Days)

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Beneficial effects on cholesterol, lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular health

• Inhibit muscle loss in subjects with hyper-catabolic diseases

• Protective effects on bone health

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Clinical trial with cancer cachexia patients

(Wigmore et al. 1996)

Animal protein/Potassium

Chicken Bone in Acid

• In the classroom, use the “famous” chicken bone in acid lab experiment to demonstrate acid effects on bones

• See: http://haco.jsc.nasa.gov/pdf/pH Experiment.pdf

• ….plus, ideas for more on nutrition and bones!

Next Stop: Mars!!

• Nutrition is critical due to length of missions

• Critical issues:

1. Are vitamins stable after exposure to deep-space radiation?

2. Are nutrients stable for long shelf life (up to 5 years)?

Food System Issues

• Nutrient content• Palatability• Shelf-life • Preparation• Storage• Trash

How will Extreme Conditions of Space Affect Food

Supply?• Closed food system• Radiation • Long-term storage • Depletion of a single nutrient could be

deadly after 3 years

For Example…

• Easily destroyed by heat and light

• Deficiency – beriberi

– develops within 2-3 months

– neurological and cardiovascular effects

Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

Another Example

• Deficiency–Scurvy– Bleeding around hair follicles, gums and

underneath fingernails

• Effects of radiation and long-duration storage are unknown for space flight

Vitamin C

Nutrition Research

On Earth and in space:• Nutrition is more than just eating

food–Food choices are important

• Nutrition affects all body systems

• Countermeasures for conditions such as osteoporosis

Related NASA Education Material

• National Space and Biomedical Research Institute

• Activities Guides for Teachers

• 5-8 grade

http://www.nsbri.org/Education/index.html

Related NASA Education Material

• NASA CONNECT™• Math & Science

integration

• “Better Health from Space to Earth”

• Grades 5-8

http://connect.larc.nasa.gov

Sara R. Zwart, Ph.D.Nutritional Biochemistry Laboratory

Johnson Space Center - NASA

Monica V. TrevathanEducation Specialist

Human Health and PerformanceJohnson Space Center - NASA